Fall Soccer

I'm playing catch-up here, as many things have happened over the past few months, but I have not found the time to post about them...

Soccer this fall was interesting, as all three of the girls decided to play.  Madeline and Isabella were able to play on the same team, so that made things a little easier.  For some reason, the season seemed to pass quicker this year than last.

So, Madeline and Isabella played on a U7-U8 girls team.  Clearly they both showed improvement in their skills over last year.  Madeline played more positions than she did last year.  It seemed last year that she had her coach convinced to let her play goalie every game last year because it was her favorite position.  This year she played goalie some, but she also played offensive and other defensive positions.  Both of the girls enjoyed the social aspects of the team.

Sisters!

Headed toward the goal!

Defense!

Half-time pep talk from the coach

Madeline watching the action with her teammates 

Isabella making her teammates laugh during a game

Hailey was really excited that they added her age-level to the league this year!  She could not wait to play on a soccer team.  She played on a co-ed U5 team, although she was the only girl.  I think snack after the games ended up to be her favorite part.

Team cheer

Kick off!

A Beautiful Fall-like Day

It has been a long hot, humid summer!  We have tried to spend as much time outside as possible, but I have so often heard, "it's too hot!" from one child or another many times over the past few months!  We have finally had some very nice cooler, less humid days recently.  We have celebrated by spending LOTS of time outside on these nice days.

Today we joined a group of our friends, also homeschoolers, for some time outside.  First, we checked out the critters in Bear Creek.  There was an abundance of life to observe, and I was somewhat surprised to see how many organisms the girls and I could identify.  We found tons of dragonfly larvae; toe-biter beetles; tadpoles in all different stages, sizes and types; frogs; damselfly larvae; snails; and several other organisms I'm sure I am forgetting right now.  I will also say that the girls amaze me with the fearlessness with which they enter the murky, muddy water.  They just walk right in!

We were lucky enough to have daddy along on this adventure!

Hands full of tadpoles!

After a brief intermission for soccer practice, we returned to our friends for a bonfire and collecting of some nocturnal creatures (mainly moths) for observation.  You can't beat a great day in the out of doors with friends!

Knitting 101

I think it is interesting that I have recently had the urge to knit and sew.  I blame it on the changes in the weather.  Fall must trigger something that tells us to get ready for winter.  I have not, however, knit or sewn since I was about 15, so it poses a challenge.  It did not help that there was another mother at our homeschooling play group today who was sitting there knitting.  Then, this afternoon I remembered that we had some knitting materials with our craft items because I purchased the Oak Meadow first grade curriculum package when Madeline was younger.  She was ready for some of the materials then, but not for knitting.  So, I pulled out the knitting needles and the yarn and found some online tutorials to help me get started.  Amazingly, it all came back quickly and after I had knitted a few rows Madeline asked if I would show her how.  She took to it quickly, and is now busily working away on a scarf.

Beyond learning the skill of knitting, I believe she is also developing fine motor skills, learning patience, gaining self-esteem, learning that things come from someplace other than the store, and expressing her creativity.  

Here are a couple of resources that I found online to help us get started.

English Knit Stitch

How to Cast on Stitches

Wrap On Cast

How to Bind Off

A Fall Walk

We took another walk at Rock Bridge Park.  This time we were checking out the leaves that have fallen off of the trees.  We found several different kinds of leaves.  I really need to get a tree guide so that we can identify the trees the leaves came from!  

Isabella collected a lot of oak leaves.

Hailey found some big leaves.

Here is a picture of Madeline making me nervous (yes, that is a drop off right behind her)!

A Walk

We had a nice walk at Rock Bridge State Park.  The girls had a great time exploring, and were fascinated by the stream.  Actually, I think they found the water interesting because I told them that it was too cold to get into it and explore.  Hailey was also fascinated by all of the leaves that have now fallen off of the trees.  I was hoping to do a project with leaves this year, like waxing leaves to make decorations, but it seems that the leaves here do not really change to pretty colors.  They just turn brown and fall off.  Anyway, there were lots of things to explore, like a hollow stump, a fallen tree, and some interesting rocks.  

Here are Madeline and Isabella gathering information about the cave.  

Hailey liked playing with all of the leaves.  I think she liked uncovering things to see what was under the leaves!
Madeline checked out some of the rocks.  She said that she found some fossils, after we got home.  Maybe next time she will share them with us!
This old tree was of great interest to Madeline and Isabella.  I just kept hoping it was not home to anyone.
Madeline found this old hollow stump and could not resist climbing inside.  Again, I was hoping it was not someone's home!
Here are the girls checking out the stream.  Madeline tried pouring water into the stream to see what would happen.

Madeline and Isabella could not resist the "balance beam"!